U.S. Department of Education official calls JCPS discipline of Black students ‘heartbreaking’

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - The federal government wants changes in how JCPS handles discipline.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or OCR, found that district personnel disciplined Black students more often and more severely than white students.

“That’s heartbreaking,”  Catherine Lhamon, Assistant Secretary for OCR, said. “And the students take a message home from that, that the school doesn’t believe in them and isn’t ready for them. That has to end.”

JCPS said it provided 75,000 documents to the federal investigation

When the OCR looked at the data, it found that district-wide 55% of Black students were disciplined at least once, compared to 27.1% of white students.

And the disparity continued to hold true across every level from minor behavioral offenses to incidents involving law violations.

In a statement, Superintendent Marty Pollio said:

“We have repeatedly acknowledged the existence of some disproportionality in disciplining of students. But we have proven we are serious about racial equity and making the changes necessary to provide a positive learning environment for every student. We pledge to continue this work.”

In addition to other promises, JCPS has until March 2025 to submit to the OCR changes to its Behavior Intervention Handbook, a process that will include students, administrators, teachers, parents, and community members.

It’s a step praised by the OCR.

“I am very grateful to this district for the important steps it has taken along the way,” Assistant Secretary Lhamon said, “and now, even more, for the important step it has committed to make.”